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[Puck]

As I stated in my [MOD] DS10A Water Leak Detector post, I was looking at ways to enhance automation around the house with the DS10A (via AHP w/OnAlert).

The following are some applications (many which have been discussed in various threads) and how I am using them. I hope to see more ideas for them that others are doing.

• 1) Of course, the Water Leak Detector previously posted.
  
  
• 2) Connected to one of my Smoke Detectors to ensure all the house lights come on to go along with the detector's siren. Also, an email to my cell phone is sent.
  
  
• 3) Connected to one of my Carbon Monoxide Detectors, like the smoke detector, it ensures all lights come on plus it turns on every fan in the house. And of course, email.
  
  
• 4) Connected to various Thermostats around the house to automatically turn fans on & off at the preset temperatures.
  
  
• 5) Bathroom Exhaust Fans control. Attached to bathroom doors to ensure the fans come on when the door is closed and stays on for a preset time upon the occupant's exit.
  
  

[Tuicemen]

Nice list of ideas Puck! Perhaps you can post a how to for each then up date this post to point to them! I'd love to see exactly how you've done them!
The DS10A is truly a useful module and with the On Alert plug-in it makes the possibilities endless for it!
I have one turn on a cam when my shed has been opened and play Waves but these are simple to do and require no modifications!

[Puck]

Thanks Tuicemen!

Perhaps you can post a how to for each then up date this post to point to them! I'd love to see exactly how you've done them!

There really was no mod required of the DS10A for the Smoke, CO & Thermometer interfaces. It was just a matter of removing the the magnetic switch and using the switches in these devices instead to trigger it.

I must note that my Smoke & CO detectors did have a built in relay for external interfacing... and I used the Normally Closed contacts (most detectors don't have this feature, but they are available).

The thermostat connected directly as well; when the temperature rises above the setting, the contacts open and send the DS10A trigger signal to OnAlert for macro execution (i.e. fans on). When the temperature drops, the contacts close and sends the DS10A's closed signal (i.e. fans off). Since I am just using a standard thermometer, in my macros I use a couple flags and delays to prevent AHP from acting on any contact bounce during switching.

The DS10A is truly a useful module and with the On Alert plug-in it makes the possibilities endless for it!

They sure are! Inexpensive and easy to interface to.

Myself, and I'm sure may others, not only come here to seek answers to problems, but to look for new and creative ideas and ways to frustrate our wife... I mean improve the quality of life through home automation. Members like Oldtimer (and others) have shared with us their home automation projects, so I wanted to share some that I have been working on too.

As more & more of the known & common X10 automation problems get answered (and are available to people thru searching and reading), I'd like to see posts of people sharing some of their home automation ideas start to increase.

[Brandt]

I saw somebody put the contacts in the front door deadbolt catch. So when the deadbolt is deployed it closes the contact.

[Mel99]

5) Bathroom Exhaust Fans control. Attached to bathroom doors to ensure the fans come on when the door is closed and stays on for a preset time upon the occupant's exit.

I use one to turn the bathroom lights on when the door opens.  This way the person entering the bathroom does not have to fumble around in the dark while the motion sensor figures out what to do.

The motion sensor inside the bathroom turns the fan on and keeps the lights on as long as someone is there.  I set a flag so that the person can turn the fan off (non-smelly version) if they want and the lights stay on.

The fan-on-when-the-door-closes is not an option for us because not everybody likes to close the door - before, during or after.  If the fan is not manually turned off, the macro turns it off after 4 minutes.

Mel

[Knightrider]

Also works on those closet doors to turn on the light.

[Brandt]

Also works on those closet doors to turn on the light.

unless you can't close the closet door because one has too many clothes and shoes   

[HA Dave]

I use a DS10A on a Recliner Chair. I originally just connected the DS10A to the foot rest part of the chair. But I now have DS10A operated via a homemade tilt switch. This works well as I never really liked reclining the chair while I had my morning coffee.

I've also made a Occupancy Sensing Key Holder that I read about On Line. I had originally used the same method (of shorting the contacts) as I had read about. But didn't find it reliable enough so I switched to a PowerFlash Module. But then I modified the Key Holder to use a switch. I have since reverted back to the DS10A as the trigger device.

I have been working on S.A.R.A. some lately... but not enough.. or as much as should. I think it there are many more uses for the DS10A such as: A sump pump sensor, a (garden) gate open/closed sensor, a medicine cabinet door open warning (for when grandkids visit), and a toilet water replenishment sensor (this would detect the slow wasteful leak of a toilet.. by reporting its refiling when no one is home... using Occupancy Sensing).

I think Occupancy Sensing can add a complete new level of use.. and usefulness.. to detection and sensors.

[Knightrider]

unless you can't close the closet door because one has too many clothes and shoes   

Actually, Fibber McGee was this home's previous owner, and I'm scared to OPEN the door.

[HA Dave]

Actually, Fibber McGee was this home's previous owner, and I'm scared to OPEN the door.

Well at least two of us know who fibber is... and what that reference to a closet would mean. Even I am not old enough to have listened to that show.

[Mel99]

I remember the radio show, Fibber MaGee and Molly.  But I don't remember what was in the closet.  What was it?

[Dan Lawrence]

I remember the radio show, Fibber MaGee and Molly.  But I don't remember what was in the closet.  What was it?

EVERYTHING!!!!!   Thus the term "Fibber MaGee's Closet" for any overfilled closet.

[Brandt]

here we go:

http://www.schollnick.net/wordpress/home-automation/ds10a-easy-modifications/

[HA Dave]

here we go: http://www.schollnick.net/wordpress/home-automation/ds10a-easy-modifications/

I think you might find some more ideas at some of the other automation forums as well.

One thing to remember when automating with DS10As is the "heart beat". They update their status about every hour (every 66 minutes?). So if the DS10A is used as a trigger [say... in a conditional macro] they can/will re-trigger when they send the heart beat (status report).

So lets say you have a door open people counter. If the door is left open... every [about an] hour.. it will signal a heart beat door open. It isn't a big deal... unless you forget about it.. and don't take it into account.

[Puck]

One thing to remember when automating with DS10As is the "heart beat". They update their status about every hour (every 66 minutes?).

And this could also be a very useful signal as well. Since many times we just ignore the "Normally Closed" signal that comes from the DS10A, it does occur every ~1 hour and it can be an useful macro trigger.

For example, when my security is armed in away mode, I use the "NC" signals from each sensor on my windows to turn off any devices within that room. So when we leave the house, we know that within an hour, any lights or appliances that may have been left on will get turned off. If any rogue signal causes something to turn on, it will only be on for less than an hour.

No sense wasting a well timed and predictable signal.